Why Do I Need Flossing And How To Do It?

Flossing is the best way to kill a bacteria. Plaque (sticky deposite of the bacteria) lives between the teeth and most are anerobic, meaning bacteria lives well when there is no oxygen. So, when you floss, your main effect is to supply the oxygen and kills the bacteria. Taking the chiken that got stuck during your lunch might feel good, but that is not the right reason. Still if you floss, you will get the benefit regardless.

How to floss? First of all, take out the floss like you are a millionaire. Don't take out tiny amount. Pull out as much as you like. Then, use middle finger and wrap the floss around the middle finger. Then the index finger will be free to use the floss and engage between the teeth. Closer the index fingers, you'll get more control. Instead of forcing floss straight down with your index fingers, make slanted angel of 45 degree, which is half of 90 degrees and use sliding motion to get to the bottom of the crown.

After all, I haven't found anyone who doesn't know how to brush. Electric brush or manuel doesn't matter as long as you brush. That is another topic. . . But I still have to find new patient who comes to my office with perfect flossing technique yet. I am practicing in this location for more than seven years now. The real statistics show that the number of percentage of people who floss reguarly is less than 15 percent of the population in U.S. If you get rid of 100,000 dentist out from that number, the average non-dental people who floss regularily would be extremly low figure. 

The real education comes from repetition and monitoring the progress. So, let us monitor and teach how to keeping up with flossing. Don't go for a home run if you are not flossing regularly now. Try to go for two times per week. Keep it realistic and see if you can stay with that number. Then, don't fall back and see if you can get the number to three times per week.